New Poll – Social Software
It's a new month and so time for a new poll. Please stop by the front page or go directly to the poll and let us know what your favorite social software is. There's an option for people who think social software is a fad, and we'd like to here from you too, especially if you have comments. Last month's poll taught us that most of you don't have time for commenting and that's fine. But do vote in our poll. We at FGI believe that raising public awareness of government information is key to keeping access to it private, free and of course fully functional. Social Networks and other "Web 2.0" tools give us a whole new tool set to spread the word as far and wide as possible. So we'd like to get some feedback on the Web 2.0 tools we've heard of and maybe learn about a few more. As always, if you really love looking at old polls, they are still available. Continue reading
New THOMAS Beta Features
The THOMAS legislative information system from the Library of Congress has posted a beta version of several new features. The direct link to the features being tested is thomas.loc.gov/beta/ -- or you can click on the Explore new features link on the main page to check it out. New capabilities being tested include:
- Search all THOMAS databases for all congresses with one search.
- Sort search results by document type (bills, committee reports, etc), relevance, or date.
- Navigate and refine searches with new options on the search results and document display screens.
Net Neutrality, the FCC, and AT&T
Kevin Taglang has an excellent recap of coverage of what the Wall Street Journal calls AT&T's "capitulation" (Industry Braces for Net-Neutrality Fallout by Amy Schatz, Wall Street Journal January 2, 2007; Page A3 [free today only]) on the issue of Net Neutrality and the Federal Communications Commission's unanimous approval of AT&T's buyout of BellSouth:
- FCC Approves AT&T-BellSouth Deal, by Kevin Taglang, Benton's Communications-Related Headlines (JANUARY 2, 2007)
While some see the recent events as a victory for net neutrality, others question this. The agreement is only for two years and is limited in scope. In addition, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is quoted in the WSJ article as saying "[It] does not mean that the Commission has adopted an additional net neutrality principle. We continue to believe such a requirement is not necessary and may impede infrastructure deployment."
Continue readingTwo Leaders
Two Leaders: both were presidents. One was a leader, and the other was a dictator. Gerald R. FordGerald Ford was the only president who was not elected. He was appointed vice president by Richard Nixon when Spiro Agnew resigned in the fall 1973. He became president by default when Nixon resigned in August 1974. Gerald Ford is undoubtedly one of my favorite U. S. Presidents. He was an "every man" who took the reigns of the nation during the difficult time following Vietnam and the resignation of President Nixon. The leadership skills of this average man helped to heal many of our nation's wounds. Some of us wondered why he pardoned Nixon, yet perhaps it was this act of forgiveness that allowed our nation to heal and reunite. By the bicentennial celebration in 1976, citizens were once again proud to be American. In a pub the evening of July 3, 1776 the band began playing "It's a Grand Old Flag," and the entire audience began singing. One man in our group had escaped from Eastern Europe the previous year, and was concerned the police would arrest us for that display. We were happy to inform him that in America we could celebrate our Nation's birthday, and not fear about repercussions from our government. The Federal Government has designated Jan. 2 as an official day of mourning for former President Gerald R. Ford. Flags are flying at half-mast and most government offices will be closed on January 2nd. Ford's funeral service will be televised that day. Read a biography of President Ford at The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. The Presidential Library and Museum recently posted a section of News, Special Events & Featured Pages on their home page. Three image galleries contain 78 public domain photographs that chronicle the nation's 38th President. No special permission or usage fees are required, but the library would like you to use the credit line included in the pop-up text for each photo. Remembering Gerald R. Ford, July 14, 1913 - December 26, 2006 is a FirstGov.gov page with links to information about the former president. Saddam Hussein The Trial of Saddam Hussein at the Law Library of Congress provides essential information about the ongoing trials of the deceased Mr. Hussein, who was executed on December 30, 2006, for killing 148 men and boys in Dujail in 1982. . The leader of Iraq from 1979 to 2003, Hussein gained infamy during the 1988 chemical weapon attack on Iraqui Kurds, as well as for his brutal tratment of his own citizens. A U. S. Department of State report, Saddam's Chemical Weapons Campaign: Halabja, March 16, 1988 descibes the mass murder which occured in the city of Halabja in 1988. The White House issued a press release, President Bush's Statement on Execution of Saddam Hussein. Previously, the White House compiled theApparatus of Lies: Saddam’s Disinformation and Propaganda, 1990-2003 which chronicled the alleged attrocities of the Iraqui dictator for over a decade. Saddam Hussein's Capture: One Year Later is a feature article in DefendAmerica the United States Department of Defense Official Website on the War on Terrorism. Continue reading
Deb Liptak, blogger of the month for January, 2007
Happy new year all! This month's blogger-of-the-month is Deb Liptak. You can read more about her in her bio. Welcome Deb! I'd also like to thank Duane McCollum, our BOTM for December, 2006. Despite rain, wind, snow and power outages -- much like the post office!! -- Duane was able to write some thought-provoking posts. Here's the list of his posts in case you missed any of them:
- Famous Last Words, 2006.
- The History News Network.
- PART and Expectmore.gov
- Intute’s Tutorials
- Army's Total Force: Civilians and Contractors.
- The Global Information Grid’ and ‘Net Centricity’.